What’s your (positive, positive!) surprise song on Gigaton?

Abe Froman

mschostok said:

Buckle Up is an incredible song. So simple, so unique, atmospheric and pretty, yet the lyrics are kind of fucked up (I think it’s about someone killing someone else?).

This would be my second choice for sure!  

RP112579

Seven O'Clock grabbed me from the first listen. It's fantastic.

KN219077

Alright was the biggest surprise. Great no code-esque song. Comes then Goes ans Quick Escape are my instant classic songs that I’m sure will go down with the other great songs in the PJ catalog.

CarryTheZero

I’m surprised by Alright as well! Really like the music with it. Found myself humming it all day!

Bob Mayo on the keyboards Bob

RETROGRADE. 

BrainofBGA

Surprise song...River Cross. On third listen I teared up outside while doing some gardening. Wow! What a finish! 

Really like / love them all in their own unique way! Thank youPJ! 

Red Mosqito

CarryTheZero said:

Yeah, I’m trying to figure that out. Maybe it’s a metaphor? Maybe the mother is nature/earth?

Or it’s a freaky story about a murder.

The mother is in fact a reference to mother earth. 

Red Mosqito

JT167846 said:

Retrograde. The end is just like ooooohhhhhhh.....Just stunning. Not sure how they'll pull it off live but man.

Someone compared Take The Long Way to Attrition since Matt wrote it. I think it's way better. Did Matt track the guitar? It seems.so by process of elimination as the rhythm track doesn't sound like Stone Mike or Ed.

Right??? I know what you're talking about on whether they'll be able to pull that ending off live or not. I think they'll be able to pull it off though. 

CarryTheZero

BrainofBGA said:

Surprise song...River Cross. On third listen I teared up outside while doing some gardening. Wow! What a finish! 

Really like / love them all in their own unique way! Thank youPJ! 

That’s my new surprise! Just finished it laying in bed. Man, that song is sad and brings you down a bit with the state of the world, but you are right about that finish! Leaves you hopeful! “Share the light!”

Makes me want to “leave my despondency in the bed tomorrow!”

This album. Wow.

wiscojam

CarryTheZero said:

So, I’ve been reading previews and reviews for what seems like forever and finally listened to the record last night. Wow!

I figure everyone has some positive surprises from this album.  I’ll go first.

”Never Destination”
Wow, loving this song! I had heard comparisons to things like Swallowed Whole (which is not my favorite), but I really like the beginning drums and the chorus. Loving the imagery of giant waves (“the gaping maw, keeps us alive should we survive). Great solo as well!

There we go, not my favorite, but a song on there that gives me a big smile and good feelings!

So, what’s your positive surprise? Not your favorite necessarily, but something you are digging that you thought you wouldn’t!

Love it. It it me or does it have a little Black, Red, Yellow composition to it? I the think it’s the refrain that’s taking me there. Great song

ed243421

Never D is getting better for me

i hear Pete

another tricky day

StillAlive

Alright is so damn good. Can’t stop listening to it.

G Force

7 O Clock is really fantastic.  The listening experience is just so good when you have this book from the vinyl to read along with.  Until I understand clearly what Ed is saying I don't hear the song clear.  When I do it comes in crystal.  And It's really REALLY nicely poetic.  I'm loving learning the lyrics of each one.  Without actually diving in and digesting what is being said I hear it with far less love.  This album has more depth than the last couple.  It feels like to me.  It's not that I didn't love both of them they just had a popier vibe and this one seems insanely timely, poignant and thoughtful.  I got lost in the wordiness at times with uneducated listening.  But the more I dive the deper I go.  Tasty treat this album.  Much appreciated to have this during this global crisis.  I'm not religious, but I sort of found myself reading these songs as gospel.  

Ralphie’s Footsteps

Who Ever Said

I haven’t seen it mentioned much. I think it’s one of those songs that could kill it live. 

pdalowsky

River cross for me 

breakmarysfall

first listening right now... so, -so far- it is Alright! It just combines all thoughts on living in a lockdown city, giving me some comfort right now, for the first time so far somehow "alright" ... 

thanks already.... THANK you PearJam - Gigaton got ready and out at the right timing again !

False_Belief

Take The Long Way, in that I was totally ‘meh’ about it after my first couple of listens.  Felt like a serviceable Avocado era album track.   Took a few more listens for it to completely click and now I love it.    I’ve learned that patience is your friend for about 1/3 of this album.  Things will fall into place eventually......

pledgeagrievance

Alright. 

JimmyV

Superblood Wolfmoon

I wasn't all that impressed when it was released. Listened a few times, moved on, pretty much forgot about it. Fell in love with it these last few days playing through the album.

Hankj25

Take the Long Way and Comes then Goes. 

But literally every song on the album has improved for me after four full listens.  I feel like Retrograde and Alright are the next two that I am going to take notice of next.  

The other thing that sticks out to me is the order of songs is absolutely perfect.  I wouldn’t move one from its place on the track list. 

Cridder

I like 98% of the album 

Beener

Seven O’clock is fantastic - reminds me of The Tragically Hip

Veddernarian

Comes then Goes.  

SomethingCreative

cp3iverson said:

Buckle Up being a calm dreamy tune.  Just by title and track sequencing i was expecting a fun garage 100mph song

Haha same.  Was totally thrown off when it started.  I dig it though 

iammine16

Take the Long Way, and the second half of Retrograde

matt770

I’m surprised by Alright for sure. I was working in the yard today listening on my earbuds and the lyrics really hit me. 

It's alright to be alone
To listen for a heartbeat, it's your own

So simple but really connected with me. 

Also surprised how much more I love this album every time I listen to it. 

CarryTheZero

Just finished another listen and Retrograde and Comes Then Goes are really starting to pop for me.

Also, fully on board with 7 O’Clock. Those lyrics are great.

neutron baum

I was a little disappointed that there wasn't a ballad or an "I Am Mine" moment so I think Retrograde and River Cross will have to fill that void as they are giving me all the feels.
Perhaps Eddie summed up this album with this verse from Superblood Wolfmoon….I don't know anything, I question everything, This life I love is going way too fast! 
Oh and anyone else notice at the beginning of River Cross, what is that surprise sound...heavy breathing?

drakeheuer14

I don’t think it needs another thread, but the sleeper of the album has to be Take the Long Way. It gets lost in the middle at first, but after listening through a few times it really stands out. The second half is beautiful. And the female voice backing is brilliant for the track. Unlike anything we have heard them do and it worked out perfectly.

And shout out to Retrograde. Gives me pendulum vibes and that song was my second favorite from LB. 

...if I ever decide to play guitar, Comes then Goes will be a goal to play. Beautiful. 

on2legs

Buckle Up